Focus on Eggbuckland
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Founded 1925 President - MichaelMaurice AdamsSharland www.devonbells.co.uk Devon Calls Nov 2016 Focus on Eggbuckland OFFICERS - an interview with the 6-bell champions of Devon President: Michael ADAMS President-Elect: hat contributed brothers could be Christine LEY Chairman: W towards Egg- found. Graham SHARLAND buckland first becom- Dave started learn- Vice Chairman: ing a team? Was there ing to ring in 1962, his James STEER a legacy of ringing at older brothers Roger Hon. Secretary: Margaret WHITE the tower? and Neil a few years Hon. Treasurer: There is a photographic later and Hilary was John BARNES record of an Eggbuck- recruited from the Web Master: land team ringing for choir in 1966. They Dr James KERSLAKE the silver jubilee of King were taught by the Publicity Officer Victoria TUCKER George V in 1935 and a late Frank Lee and Per- Devon Calls: 1929 copy of the Devon cy Butland. Editor: Colin ADAMS Association rules so we Since the early 70s Technical Eds.: think there has been a Dave has taken the Dr Colin BARNES Elinor D’ALBIAC long history of ringing Devon Major Final, Dunsford 1980 lead in teaching most Inside this issue at Eggbuckland. Howev- Left to right: of the Eggbuckland Focus on Eggbuckland 1—3 er, our earliest memo- Gillian Glover (née) T rout), Graham band, first his siblings Editorial 4 ries are of a small band Hubber, Hilary Trout Gill and Nick, Richard Roger Trout, David Trout, Nick Trout Chagford Bells refurbishment 5 of ringers who rang for Westcott (Hilary's Letter from Australia 6 services and perhaps at the deanery brother) and Graham Hubber, then in An exile returns—Tim Jones 7 Obituary—Gilbert White 7 festival. the late seventies Bob Hackworthy Chagford Ringers on Tour 8 Did the team which you lead all learn (Roger's brother-in-law) and Angela Del- News from Whimple 9 bridge (Nick's future wife). Jack’s name rings on 10 together? Sue Ashton (nee Trewin) started learn- 75th Annual Kenn Deanery The bells at Eggbuckland were rehung in Competition 10 1961 and this seemed to inspire a re- ing in 1966 at Lydford, where she was Congratulations 10 cruitment drive from within the church brought up, and joined Eggbuckland in Art of Devon Call-change and the youth club, where the Trout (continued on page 2) Ringing 11 Devon Assn. of Ringers news 11 COPY for “Devon Calls” is always welcome and we rely on you to submit articles please Deadline for next edition- 1st February 2017 We would be very interested in including “Letters to the Editor”. Articles and letters should be sent to the Editor: Colin ADAMS - [email protected] (continued from page 1) the early 80s after she had be enjoyed. In 1971 Dave & married and moved to Hilary started 'going out' Plymouth. Martin Crew together and a shared love of learnt to ring at Tamerton ringing and desire for Foliot and has been the improvement led us to want captain there for many to experience ringing years. He has been a wherever we could, at the member of the Eggbuckland same time encouraging our band since the 1980s. learners to strive for the same As time went by the next thing. As the team improved generation came of age and we began to enter more and it seemed only natural that more competitions. they were taught bellringing When did the team enter its too. During the 90s the first ‘Devon’ competition? tower was full of youngsters From our records we think learning to ring, including that Eggbuckland first entered our own sons Ben and Dan, a 'Devon' in 1974 when the Roger's daughter Hannah qualifier was held at and son Ryan, Bob's Lamerton. We qualified for the children Kevin and Chris, Minor final at Morchard Bishop where we finished 7th the Kerslake boys James and Ben and Nick & Angie's with 75.75 faults! The team at that time was: son Steven. Percy Butland (captain) Who or what inspired the team in the direction of Peter Beer competition ringing? Richard Westcott During the 60s our late captain, Percy Butland, was Gillian Trout always very keen to encourage youngsters to learn and Hilary Trout he would always try and enter teams at all levels in the Dave Trout deanery competition. However it was Roy Varcoe, who By the following year Percy & Peter had retired from rang at Lydford but lived in Plymouth who really ringing and Dave had taken on the captaincy. Hilary introduced Dave to the cut and thrust of competitive became our treble ringer, Arthur Doughty took the ringing. Recognising young talent and enthusiasm Roy second, John Walters the tenor and Dave moved to the encouraged Dave to join him at Lydford on Sundays fifth. This team qualified for the Minor finals in 1975 and they would drive up together, often pausing at the finishing 3rd. Devon Major Final at Bampton, Saturday 11th June 2016. Left to right. Angela Trout. Sue Ashton. Steven Trout. David Trout. Martin Crew. Hilary Trout. Halfway House at Grenofen on the way home. This By 1976 Richard had left home to go to university and brought Dave into contact with teams in the Tavistock two more 'Trouts' came into the competition team, Deanery, where there was some fierce competitive Nick (aged 15) on the third bell and Roger (slightly rivalry and at the time some very good ringing to older!) took over the tenor. With this line-up the team 2 (continued on page 3) (continued from page 2) were runners up in the 1976 Minor final and went on suggested we both have a "rise, in and out of queens to win it the following year at Lydford with 27.25 and lower" to decide the places. However, having faults. been on the losing end of this tactic at a previous The following year the team qualified for the Devon competition Dave requested that we ring full peals Major final for the first time. and this was agreed. Happily Eggbuckland had the better peal, only to discover that the ring off was What was the date and where was the competition actually for second place! The winners were held when the team first won the Ross shield? (Ed - Plymstock, with 17.5 faults, in their final year as a 6 at a guess I would say this was at Dunsford in circa. bell tower. 1978). But the proudest moment of all for the tower was The Eggbuckland team were absolutely thrilled to win at the major final at Staverton in 2003 when the Ross shield for the first time, with a peal of 6.5 Eggbuckland A & B finished 1st and 2nd respectively, faults, when the Major final was held at Dunsford on something we believe to be unique in the history of 24th May 1980. the Devon competition. The average age of the team was 24, Nick being the A Hilary Trout B Dan Trout youngest at 18, and the ringers were: Sue Ashton Angie Trout Hilary Trout Martin Crew James Kerslake Gillian Glover (née Trout) Bob Hackworthy Jereme Darke Graham Hubber Dave Trout Ryan Trout Nick Trout Roger Trout Neil Trout Dave Trout Roger Trout Devon is rich in peals both six and eight. Do you have a favourite peal? How many times has Eggbuckland won the Ross There are lots of great bells in Devon but probably shield? Sampford Spiney, South Brent and Broadclyst are At Bampton in 2016, Eggbuckland won the Ross shield among our favourites. for the 25th time. The team members at this time were: How do you see the future of call-change ringing Hilary Trout here in Devon? Angela Trout Call-change ringing has played a huge part in our lives Sue Ashton over the last 50 years and has given us both an Martin Crew enormous amount of pleasure. We could not have Dave Trout achieved so much without the loyalty and Steve Trout commitment of our ringers to services, practice nights As you can see, the A team's personnel has changed and competitions. and evolved over the years and about a dozen ringers As the last bastion of call-change ringing in the have been involved in the teams Devon successes, country we can only hope that it continues to thrive in including Bob Hackworthy and Ryan Trout. However, this county for many years to come. The bond of the only person to have rung in all 25 wins is Dave camaraderie is great amongst all bell ringers but (Hilary only being forced to miss one following the probably nowhere is it better than in Devon. birth of our second child by Caesarean section!) Dave & Hilary Trout Are there any occasions that you remember particular well whilst competing in a Devon final? Congratulations to Dave on leading the team on the Obviously our very first win was one of the most 25 occasions that Eggbuckland has won the Ross special Devon finals for us but another unforgettable shield. Congratulations also to Dave’s wife, Hilary, occasion was in 1978 when after ringing in our first who has rung the treble in 24 of the 25 major final at Newton Ferrers, the judges announced competitions. What an outstanding husband and wife that there was a tie and a ring off was required partnership. Finally, congratulations to the whole between Eggbuckland and Down St. Mary. We team on reaching their 25th victory at Bampton during naturally thought this was for first place and nervously this year’s major final. Eggbuckland who will beat gathered with Down St.